Date: April 24th , 2026

Time: 2pm ET | 1pm CT | 12pm MT | 11am PT |

Duration: 120 Minutes

Description:

For millions of taxpayers burdened by IRS debt, the Offer in Compromise represents one of the most powerful resolution tools available  yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and mishandled. A poorly prepared OIC doesn’t just get rejected; it can set back a client’s case by months and damage their credibility with the IRS.

At the heart of every successful OIC is a precise, well-documented assessment of the taxpayer’s Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP)  the IRS’s measure of how much it can realistically expect to collect from a taxpayer based on their income, allowable expenses, and asset equity. Getting this calculation right is both an art and a science. Overstating assets or underestimating allowable expenses can sink an otherwise viable offer, while a strategically accurate submission can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Beyond the numbers, successful OIC representation requires a deep understanding of IRS processing timelines, the impact of recent policy shifts on hardship relief and refund offsets, and how to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of phantom income challenges. When an OIC is returned or rejected, knowing how to pivot — whether through an appeal, an amended submission, or an alternative resolution strategy — is what separates skilled practitioners from the rest.

Major Topics Covered:

• How to accurately compute Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) and structure a compelling offer amount.
• Identifying and addressing phantom income issues that can distort a client’s financial picture.
• What the IRS requires, common documentation errors, and how to avoid them.
• Understanding IRS processing stages, suspension periods, and statute of limitations implications during an open OIC.
• Comparing OIC with installment agreements, Currently Not Collectible status, and penalty abatement options.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the essential documentation required to prepare and submit an accurate, complete Offer in Compromise package to the IRS.
• Analyze real-world case studies to evaluate different OIC strategies and their outcomes across varying taxpayer situations.
• Assess how a client’s personal financial circumstances  including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities  impact OIC eligibility and the IRS’s Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) calculation.
• Interpret IRS timelines, processing procedures, and evaluation benchmarks specific to Offer in Compromise submissions.
• Review allowable deductions that can reduce estate tax liability
• Develop proactive strategies for addressing rejected, returned, or disputed OICs  including appeals and alternative resolution paths.

Credits and Other information:

• Recommended CPE credit – 2.0
• Recommended field of study – Taxes
• Session Prerequisites and preparation: None
• Session learning level: Basic
• Location: Virtual/Online
• Delivery method: Group Internet Based
• Attendance Requirement:  Yes
• Session Duration: 120 Minutes

Who Will Benefit:

• CPA
• Enrolled Agents (EAs)
• Tax Professionals
• Attorneys
• Other Tax Preparers
• Finance professionals
• Financial planners

About Our Speaker

Jim Buttonow, CPA, CITP

Jim  has been a leader in helping taxpayers and tax professionals resolve tax problems with the IRS.
For 19 years, Jim worked at the IRS in various compliance enforcement positions. Since 2006, Jim has been in private practice and tax and accounting software development. Jim consulting practice focuses on the areas of tax controversy and tax administration. Jim led product development and marketing for a successful software company that developed tax problem software for tax professionals and has developed and implemented post-filing tax services to large tax providers, such as H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. This software is currently being used by tens of thousands of tax professionals and businesses in the United States.